Intensivist Program at Northwest Hospital

The Intensivist Program at Northwest Hospital provides care for patients who are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit.

Physicians, all board certified in critical care medicine, are onsite for 12-hour shifts each day, and on-call overnight, to provide a very high level of postoperative and intensive care to patients. During the 12-hour overnight shift, physicians experienced in critical care medicine or mid-level providers specially trained in these areas are physically on site, with immediate support provided by the on-call intensivist. The intensivist has access to real-time patient data even when off site.

National statistics show that patients in hospitals with an intensivist program have improved outcomes and shorter hospital stays. With an increasing number of treatment options available, managing critically ill patients is a complex process. Intensivists are an added resource for physicians.

Northwest Hospital's intensivists are a key component to critical care. They provide leadership to the members of the critical care team while treating patients with continuous and consistent care.

Intensivists provide continuous clinical assessment and are able to address subtle changes to a patient’s clinical conditions early. If clinical problems do occur, a Northwest Hospital intensivist is immediately available to intervene.

Intensivists:

Coordinate the patient’s overall care provided by a multidisciplinary team of nurses, specialists and others.

Address subtle changes in conditions early and proactively.

Are available at all times, ensuring a high level of quality care.

Northwest Hospital’s intensivists lead a multidisciplinary team of care-givers on their daily rounds through the Intensive Care Unit. The team covers areas such as medication management; interdisciplinary care plans; and psychological, and social issues. Treatment goals are reviewed each day with ICU staff and family members. The intensivists also work with the patient’s own physicians to achieve these goals, relaying vital information necessary to institute and carry out the treatment plans.

Benefits associated with the use of an intensivist:

Improved outcomes

Reduced ICU length of stay

Fewer clinical and procedural complications

Reduced costs per case

Fewer adverse events

Improved patient, family, private physician and staff satisfaction

Focus on patient safety

Improved morbidity and mortality

Decrease in ventilator days and complications

Decrease in hospital acquired infection

Appropriate placement of patients in the correct level of care

Physician benefits

Guaranteed intensivist level of care for critically ill patients available around the clock.